Canada's famed snowfields are calling. With direct flights to Vancouver from Commonwealth of australia, at that place's also no need for a U.s. detour, as in the past.

While it may take some months for Commonwealth of australia's ain quarantine rules to normalise, here's what a Canadian take a chance looks like in the COVID era.

Paperwork and pre-flight COVID testing

Canada's border is open to nigh fully-vaccinated visitors. Travel was previously quarantine-free, although restrictions are changing speedily in response to the Omicron COVID-19 variant. This includes taking a test on arrival in Canada, and self-isolating until you receive the consequence.

Here's what you need under the nearly recent changes:

  • A valid Electronic Travel Authorisation, or eTA (the aforementioned was true before COVID). This tin can exist purchased from the official Regime of Canada website, and costs CA$7 (AU$seven.60). This is a requirement for well-nigh visitors travelling visa-free. Those exempt include Canadian citizens, and holders of pre-arranged Canadian visas.
  • Proof of a negative COVID-19 exam, taken no earlier than 72 hours earlier your flight'south scheduled deviation fourth dimension. In Australia, such PCR tests typically price AU$100-$150 for travellers. Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are non accepted, only some others are. Visit the Government of Canada website for the latest requirements.
    • Alternatively, proof of a positive COVID-nineteen exam issue returned between xiv and 180 days prior to your travel date. This test event must be of the same type that Canada accepts for negative tests. As such, Rapid Antigen Tests can't exist used.
  • Before your arrival in Canada, your travel plans must also be registered. This is washed through the ArriveCAN website or mobile app. You'll be able to practise this no earlier than 72 hours before your scheduled inflow on Canadian soil. So consider tackling this paperwork after your obligatory pre-flight COVID examination.

Once yous land in Canada, you lot'll then need to take a COVID test. Under the latest changes, y'all must isolate while awaiting the consequence. These tests are free. Yous also need to wear a mask in public places for the first 14 days after your inflow.

With no quarantine on arrival, y'all'll be seeing Canadian flags flying in no fourth dimension!

Some new restrictions apply to travellers from southern African countries. These shouldn't touch well-nigh visitors from Commonwealth of australia, though.

Returning to Australia from Canada

Your journeying habitation begins by completing the new Commonwealth of australia Travel Annunciation online, at least 72 hours before your flight. This requirement is in identify for all arriving travellers, including Australian citizens.

One time that's sorted, you'll also demand to get a COVID PCR test within 72 hours of your flight home. This 72-60 minutes window is measured from the flight's scheduled divergence time. If you're booked to get out Canada at 8 pm Thursday, for case, you can take the examination after 8 pm on Monday in the same week.

Wait to pay in the region of CA$165-$375 (AU$182-$413) for this test. You lot'll also need to nowadays your negative examination upshot at the bank check-in desk for your flight home.

For the most cost-effective testing centre near your accommodation in Canada, your hotel concierge will accept the best advice. As Australia requires a PCR test – not a Rapid Antigen exam – be sure you get the right ane!

Flying to Vancouver with Qantas

Qantas is venturing back to Vancouver from 20 December 2021, so buckle up – it'due south time to fly!

Route Frequency Aircraft type(southward) Cabins
Sydney-Vancouver Three times a week Boeing 787-9 Business organization, Premium Economy, Economy

Qantas lounges in Sydney and Vancouver

Sydney, of form, is Qantas' home hub. For Platinum-tier flyers, this means the flagship Qantas Beginning Lounge awaits. And it's almost definitely worth arriving early for. If you've got an evening deviation for Canada, be sure to make time for a glass of Champagne and the succulent table salt and pepper squid.

Once Qantas Offset returns to the skies, expect the lounge's spa facilities to come back, too. These are complimentary on a first-come, first-served basis for near travellers. Another reason to get in that location early!

If booked in Business, you lot'll instead have access to the Qantas Business organisation Lounge. This is also true for Qantas Gold members, other oneworld Sapphire frequent flyers and Qantas Club cardholders. Bar service and barista-made coffee come as standard, with buffet dining providing a tasty feed.

But in the brusk term – while passenger numbers are low – this lounge is temporarily airtight. Instead, the Qantas First Lounge opens its doors to all lounge-eligible travellers equally a care for. Once travel demand returns to normal, so too will the lounge admission arrangements – so enjoy this 'upgrade' while it lasts.

Over in Vancouver, Qantas doesn't operate its ain-brand lounge. That wouldn't make sense for an airline with just three flights a week.

Instead, the Plaza Premium Lounge will serve all travellers who'd normally qualify for Qantas lounge admission. This includes those booked in Qantas Business, Qantas Lodge members, plus Qantas Gold frequent flyers and higher. Non on that listing? You can also get through the doors by flashing an Amex Platinum Card.

Located right after security screening, the Plaza Premium Lounge provides a pleasant pitstop. Look similar amenities as in the chain's other locations, such equally in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

The Qantas experience flight to Vancouver

With Qantas' Boeing 787 on these Vancouver voyages, expect the airline'southward most modern experience.

Business concern Class brings fully-flat beds with straight aisle admission. You'll also get a pair of the airline's iconic pyjamas, which are yours to keep.

There'south a cosy Premium Economy motel as well, with reclining seats. Here, you'll observe leg rests, forth with wider seats than in regular Economy. Catering is more 'Business concern Class', with the wines also a step up.

Down the back in Economy, expect an all-inclusive experience. In that location's no need to purchase food or beverages, including alcohol. Inflight amusement is as well gratis, with new-release movies on tap.

Flying to Vancouver with Air Canada

Air Canada makes a triumphant return to Australian skies from 17 December 2021. That'due south when its directly flights from Sydney to Vancouver accept wing once again. Brisbane gets its non-stop services back a little later, from 30 Oct 2022.

Road Frequency Aircraft type(s) Cabins
Sydney-Vancouver Daily Boeing 777-200LR Business organization Class, Premium Economy Class, Economy Course
Brisbane-Vancouver Daily Boeing 787-8 Concern Class, Premium Economy Form, Economy Grade

Air Canada's lounges in Commonwealth of australia and Vancouver

As a Star Alliance member, Air Canada commonly defaults to the Air New Zealand lounges in Sydney and Brisbane. But with the trans-Tasman 'travel chimera' nevertheless off the cards, these are unlikely to open up in the brusque term. For Sydney travellers, this could mean visiting the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge instead.

We'll become a amend thought of Air Canada's lounge arrangements closer to its return to Sydney. If the SilverKris Lounge is indeed bachelor, await to find Champagne ready and waiting before flying to Vancouver. A substantial hot buffet also often serves delights like satay and siu mai.

Lounge admission in Australia is by and large available when flight Air Canada Business Class. It's as well open to Star Alliance Gold frequent flyers, Maple Leaf Lodge Worldwide members, and United Order cardholders.

Over in Vancouver, Air Canada unremarkably puts its best foot forward with its Signature Suite lounge. But as with many lounges here in Commonwealth of australia, Vancouver's Signature Suite is temporarily closed.

All eligible passengers are instead directed to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, for now. It's the Air Canada equivalent of a Qantas Business organization Lounge – while the Signature Suite sits a rung above. Still, expect a seize with teeth to eat and other refreshments from the Maple Leaf Lounge.

The Air Canada experience flight to Vancouver

On the long treks from Australia to Canada, yous'll exist flying on one of ii planes. Sydney gets the older Boeing 777-200LRs. Brisbane, on the other hand, gets the Dreamliner, with the airline'southward fresh Boeing 787-8s.

Both offering a comparable feel in Signature Course, which is Air Canada's proper noun for Business concern Grade. You lot'll discover a fully-flat bed with direct aisle access as standard. Just bring your own PJs, as these aren't provided.

There's also a Premium Economic system Class motel nestled behind. On the Boeing 777s from Sydney, this comes in a ii-4-ii layout. If you're travelling every bit a pair, the seats past the windows are highly desirable as yous won't have an actress seatmate, as in Economic system Class.

Brisbane'south Boeing 787s instead see Premium Economic system Course in a 2-3-ii layout. The same applies to pairs by the windows, with the centre seats instead smashing for parents travelling with ane child.

In Economy Form, seatback entertainment, meal boxes and alcohol are included in your fare. Separate from the main food service, sandwiches are also available equally a snack to tide y'all over.

Flying to Vancouver with China Pacific

Let's be honest – most Aussies jetting to Vancouver are going to jump on i of the direct Qantas or Air Canada flights. Only if your journey starts in Perth, flying through Hong Kong is besides a applied choice.

Compared to connecting in Sydney, the Hong Kong detour is only marginally longer overall. Information technology likewise avoids changing terminals in transit, and squeezing in enough time to clear passport control. Y'all'll instead 'leave Commonwealth of australia' before your beginning flight departs, and without any passport formalities to confront until y'all bear upon down in Canada.

Key connections Aircraft type(s) Cabins
Perth-Hong Kong Airbus A350-900 Business concern Form, Premium Economic system Form, Economy Class
-> Hong Kong-Vancouver Airbus A350-900 Business Class, Premium Economy Class, Economy Grade

Cathay Pacific's lounges in Perth, Hong Kong and Vancouver

At Perth Airport, China Pacific normally uses the Qantas Business organization Lounge in Final ane. Merely as with and so many other lounges, that'south even so airtight, with no culling available for at present.

Upwardly in Hong Kong, eligible passengers in transit from Australia can currently visit The Pier Business Class Lounge. For the time being, at that place's no First Class lounge available for Platinum and Diamond-tier members in transit. But equally far equally Concern Class lounges go, The Pier is arguably China Pacific's all-time.

With the lounge divided into many distinct zones, you certainly won't be left wanting. Fill up at the Noodle Bar, stop by the Teahouse, or freshen up with a shower. Similar amenities are also found at Cathay Pacific'south lounge in Vancouver. While the Vancouver lounge is another that's temporarily closed, we look frontward to its return as flights ramp support.

The Cathay Pacific experience flying to Vancouver

While the lounge feel may non be the norm, Cathay Pacific's aircraft are as travellers retrieve them. From Perth to Hong Kong and on to Vancouver, the Airbus A350-900 pulls up at your gate.

Along for the ride is the airline's very best Business Course. With the seats customised by Porsche Pattern, they're both comfortable and stylish. Settle back and enjoy a meal, or watch a movie on the loftier definition screen with noise-cancelling headphones. When it's fourth dimension to doze, your seat becomes a bed. Night night!

Premium Economy Class is available on both legs of the journey, likewise. With a leg rest plus a generous seat recline, getting some slumber isn't too catchy. As with Economy Grade, it'southward an all-inclusive feel, so bask the ride.

Summing upwardly

In years gone by, flying from Australia to Canada often required a stop in the United states of america. But with two airlines now offer direct flights, ditching the detour is the way to go. That's specially true in the era of COVID, where you lot'd need to 'enter' the USA before continuing to Canada. With all the extra paperwork – and the added hassle of clearing Us immigration during the transit – non-stop flights get fifty-fifty more appealing.

However you get there, Vancouver is a swell destination in its own right. The slopes of Whistler are too barely 90 minutes by car, with destinations across Canada reachable in a single connecting flight.

Enjoy!